When Bishops Usurp the Laity’s Role: Now THAT is Clericalism!

Editor’s Comment: One of my objections to the Bishops Lenten Appeal is that it supports the Virginia Catholic Conference, a lobby group that continuously takes “Catholic positions” on prudential moral issues. Is opposition to uranium mining really an issue that the bishops’ have any expertise on AT ALL? Of course not! But they tell Virginia Catholics to come along to Richmond and push their questionable opinions on climate change, immigration, the death penalty, and a whole host of other prudential issues. Phil Lawler’s article raises the same questions I have often posed about the role of our bishops which is to teach, govern, and sanctify. Ironically, while sticking their noses in all sorts of things that are NOT their business, many bishops irresponsibly neglect what IS their business. If your bishops have a lobby group, there is something wrong! Ironically, many of the lay-run lobby groups defend intrinsic moral issues that the bishops treat with a ho-hum or even an enabling wink. It’s time to stop! Thumbs up to Phil Lawler!

A STATEMENT THE TENNESSEE BISHOPS SHOULDN’T HAVE MADE

By Phil Lawler — Mar 06, 2019

The Catholic bishops of Tennessee have recommended against support for a “Heartbeat Bill,” on prudential grounds. The bishops may be right in their political judgment. But even if they are, they had no business issuing their statement.

In that statement, the bishops make it quite clear that they are in sympathy with the sponsors of the legislation: that they “wholeheartedly support” the intention of the “Heartbeat Bill.” Their concern is based purely on political tactics. In other states, the bishops note, “Heartbeat” legislation has been passed, enacted, and then overturned by the courts, leaving the pro-life cause worse off than before the bill was introduced. Therfore, they reason:
Given the field of legal realities that we must consider, we believe it would not be prudent to support the “Heartbeat Bill” knowing the certainty of its overturning when challenged, in addition to the court ordered fees that would be paid to the pro-abortion plaintiffs. Instances like these remind us that we must be prudent and support other pro-life pieces of pro-life legislation that stand a better chance of being upheld in the courts and, possibly, become the vehicle that forces the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn Roe once and for all. [Read more....]